Sit up a Tree

To ditch or not to ditch
Like everyone in these tough times I’m trying to find new ways to achieve the most of my money. And for many people trying to juggle their budget their gym subscription is one of the first ‘luxuries’ being considered for the chop. The logic goes that exercise is, after all, free so do I really need the treadmill, bigscreen tv or steam room? But what a lot of people find is that no matter how determined they are to participate in free exercise activities like walking or running, fear and depression in these tough times can make that all the harder. Some days it seems safer to stay on the couch! But in these tough times health and fitness are all the more important. So before you decide the gym subscription is the first cutback double check that there arent other subscriptions (eg. premium tv and movie channels, video rental subscriptions, magazine subscriptions) or other expenses (eg. alcohol, cigarettes, junk food) that you could cut out instead. It’s all too easy in hard times to comfort eat, but you aren’t doing yourself any favors in the long run! Also exercise not only keeps your body fit it has a powerful effect on your state of mind - keeping positive is more important now than ever. How about combining your exercise time with meditation - more from Fit Sugar.

If it has to go…
If your gym subscription really does have to go though do not fear. Exercise IS free and there is a lot you can do to help yourself that doesn’t cost much. Apart from the obvious walking, running, push-ups and crunches, here are some low cost exercise solutions

• Stepping - use the bottom steps of the staircase, your front doorstep etc etc
• Weight training - milk or juice containers filled with water make excellent dumbbells, just fill with water to the desired weight
• Find an exercise buddy - one of the biggest reasons for going to the gym or exercise class is for the company. If you find you’re having to make cutbacks chances are there will be others in the same position - why not form your own exercise group? Getting together for runs or going to other people’s houses to do an exercise DVD together is a great way to support each other.

• Dancing - Put on your fav tracks and dance yourself fit!
• More tips - Niall Ebbs has some great tips for weight training on a low budget

Remember: Whether your gym membership has to go or not, the important thing to remember is to keep your chin up - and keep your body moving!

I made an amazing find in the book store the other day: No more clutter, by Sue Kay (Hodder Mobius). It had started working its magic on me even before I reached the checkout. Just the idea that it’s possible to ‘clear your space and free your life’ was enthralling.

What amazed me most was the insight into why life was so cluttered in the first place. Before this I would never have considered myself a hoarder. But I am, I know this. OK I don’t store old newspapers or collect thimbles. But I don’t let things go. And of course, the main culprit, is the desire for new things. (There’s your problem!!!)

Mostly it gave me the confidence to try, take that first little step towards a clutter free life. And that’s the biggy - it only needs eyes to see the clutter, but knowing where to start is the problem. It’s like trying to chip away at a mountain!

Watch it! And it will clear itself!
But starting with clearing one surface is a good start. Staring at the problem helped a lot too. Forcing myself to actually look - really see - the clutter was a big step. As you look at it, even though you’re not doing anything about it, you’re asking yourself the questions. “Why am I keeping this?” “Where did that come from?” “Will I seriously ever need that again?” As you stare you’re also rehearsing the actions of dealing with each item.

Throw it away! Don’t buy it again!!
I was brought up to save my money to get something and then treasure that thing. Throwing something out that is perfectly functional (and that has cost me good money) really goes against the grain. It’s also not very green. Ethical disposal has always been a big problem for me. The Earth’s resources have gone into making that item and it’s not right to throw that item into the landfill, when another part of the Earth (or its atmosphere) is going to be ravaged to get the same raw ingredients out. But me keeping that item and filling my house with its friends is not helping the Earth - and it’s not helping me! The key HAS to be in changing my future behavior. Not buying more clutter. Purchases make me happy. Clutter does not. But they are one and the same. It’s time to cut out the happy! A clear space can be my happy. AND it can give me peace too, which let’s face it, things never can.

Give it away! Or not??
It’s great if you can give stuff away, but then that’s how I acquired a lot of the junk in the first place. I was too polite to say no when other people were de-junking their own lives! So I didn’t want to pass on my problems to someone else. Freecycle is a great solution to this. Let people decide themselves if they want what you’re giving away, and then give it to the most deserving of them. Or the first comer, which if you’re being ruthless - and by this point you should be! - gets the junk out of your life that much sooner.

OK to go!
Starting with that one surface - and still only as a thinking exercise - lets you start the job with an action plan. And also a sense that it’s achievable. When you come to do it for real you know what goes where. It may be days or weeks since your rehearsal but you’ve figured out which items need moving, which are for the garbage, which can be given away, what can be recylcled and what can be Freecycled. When it comes to actually doing it, you’ll be amazed how easy and how quickly it gets done.

The trick is not to get dishearted when you look at the next surface or turn around and see the junk on the other wall. Just repeat the looking and seeing process and have faith that it will get done again.

Keep it clear!
Let the clearing spread out. Think forest fire, but slower. Within a few days you and other people will start noticing the difference. An important tip here: Don’t let that space you’ve cleared heal over. Put a big, clear note on it so others know that if they put something down on that surface you have cleared there will be big trouble. Police the surface! It is the seed of your decluttering.

Further reading:
Tips from Sue Kay’s website.
18 Five-Minute Decluttering Tips to Start Conquering Your Mess

wikiHow offers some tips to help you turn around a bad day at work.

1. Accept your bad mood.
2. Tell others.
3. Look inside first.
4. Remember the good stuff.
5. Let it pass.
6. Take some quiet time.

Good medicine.  I’d also suggest staying off the coffee (caffeine is not good for your mood) and making sure that you drink plenty of water.  Also, if you feel that things are getting on top of you, it might be time for a few early nights or even a short break.